WSJ: $99 Acer Iconia B1 tablet headed for emerging markets only

The other day we told you about the rumored $99 Acer Iconia B1 Android tablet that is expected to come to market with a 7 inch 1024 x 600 display. The pixel density of 170ppi tops the 162ppi of the 7.9 inch Apple iPad mini tablet and matches precisely the specs of the panel on the BlackBerry PlayBook. While the Wall Street Journal says that a person close to the project expects a launch early next year, the bad news is that the tablet is expected to be offered to emerging markets only. That is despite a visit to the FCC by the tablet.

Acer's plan is to produce a tablet with specs similar to other low priced models in the crowded 7 inch Android tablet market, like the Amazon Kindle Fire 2, but undercut them on price. At $99, Acer will be achieving that goal. It is a 180 degree change in strategy for Acer, which has been trying to pump up profit margins by focusing on high-end models.

The person close to the project says that the launch of the Google Nexus 10 (made by Samsung) made Acer change its focus on pricing. Additionally, rumors that rival manufacturer ASUS was planning to build a $99 Android tablet spurred on Acer. Although those rumors were denied by ASUS, the company is still expected to build an Android tablet in the $129-$149 price range.

The same source also told the WSJ that Acer will build a low priced version of its Intel-powered Windows 8 tablets since most models have been very expensive.

source: WSJ